Directly attachable light socket



y 0, 1966 H. w. SCHICK 3,251 ,023

DIRECTLY ATTACHABLE LIGHT SOCKET Filed Dec. 26, 1963 VEN R. HEN W. 5 CKATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,251,023 Patented May 10, 19663,251 023 DIRECTLY A'ITACHAlSLE LIGHT SGCKET Henry W. Schick, MasticBeach, Long Island, N.Y., as-

signor to Gilbert Manufacturing Company, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed Dec. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 333,533 7 Claims.(Cl. 339-99) This invention relates to light socket assemblies and moreparticularly to a light socket which is directly attachable at anydesired point along a pair of current carrying wires.

There are many instances in which it is desirable to be able to attach alight socket to a pair of current carrying wires at a selected point sothat a light bulb may be placed in the socket to produce light at thepoint of socket attachment. For example, in making decorativearrangements of lights for trees or for outdoor purposes it is sometimesdesired to place the light sockets where needed from an aesthetic pointof view, rather than to use the sockets of a string of lights havingfixed distances, either too great or too small, between adjacentsockets. An additional application is in'the general field of lightingwhere it may be desired to place a socket at a given point along a pairof current carrying wires.

The present invention is directed to a light socket which may bedirectly attached to any point along a pair of current carrying wires.In accordance with the invention the socket is of relatively simple twopiece molded plastic construction which eliminates the necessity for anyadditional external screw-type, cap or sliding member to hold the socketto the wires. The elimination of this external piece is highlyadvantageous since in many cases the piece getslost, is dropped duringassembly of the socket to the wires, and/or gets broken. presentinvention has particular application in its ability to be directlyattached at any place, it can also be used in assembling regular stringsof sockets.

The socket of the present invention comprises a base member having meanssuch as threads to receive and hold the light bulb. The base also holdsthe current carrying wires. The base is shaped to receive a shell membercarrying the electrical contacts for the bulb. These contacts arepreferably of the type for piercing the insulating cover of the currentcarrying wires to make contact with the current carrying conductors. Asthe bulb is screwed into the threads. on the base member, the shell andthe base are drawn together so that the contact members pierce therespective wires. The socket assembly to the wires is therefore made ina simple manner using only two pieces, one of which contains the contactmembers and the other of which has the screw threads to hold the bulb.The socket assembly is simple, compact and is relatively inexpensivesince it can be molded fairly easily. Due to its construction, thesocket also has desirable water proof characteristics.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lightsocket for attachment to any desired point along a pair of currentcarrying wires.

A further object is to provide a directly attachable socket formed ofonly two pieces, one of which carries the electrical contact members andthe other of which has the screw threads for holding the bulb.

Another object is to provide a light bulb socket which is attached tothe current carrying wires as the bulb is screwed into the socket.

Still a further object is to provide a light socket having electricalcontact members with prongs for making con- While the socket of the thesocket has mating shell and base pieces to form a tight enclosure.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent upon reference to the following specification and annexeddrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the socket having portionsthereof partially broken away;

FIGURES 2 and 3 are elevational views of the assembled socket of- FIGURE1 taken in section and turned from each other;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the socket of FIGURE 3 taken partiallyin section; and

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of the light socketmade in accordance with the present invention.

Referring first to FIGURES 13, the light socket as-' sembly is formed bya shell member 10 which mates with a base member 30. The shell 10 andthe base 30 are both preferably integrally molded of any suitableplastic insulating material of the thermoplastic or thermosetting type.Such molding processes and materials are conventional and, inthemselves, form no part of the present invention.

The shell 10 has a generally cylindrical barrel. 11 to which ispreferably integrally molded a plastic clip member 12 used for attachingthe completed socket assembly to a wire, tree branch, etc. It should beunderstood that a separate clip-12, for example of metal, may beattached to the barrel if desired instead of using the molded clip 12.The inner surface of the barrel 11 is formed with two recessed channels14 and 16 preferably opposite each other on the inner wall of the barrelfor holding a respective electrical contact member 15 and 17. It shouldbe understood that instead of using recessed channels 14 and 16, thattwo L-shaped walls can be-placed on opposite sides of the interior ofthe barrel to form respective channels to hold the electrical contactmembers.

Contact members 15 and 17 are formed with pointed prongs or pins 18 onthe bottom thereof for piercing the insulating cover of a respective oneof the current carrying wires 41 and 42. These wires, when connected to'a suitable power supply (not shown), supply the electrical current to alight bulb 1 which is to be placed in the socket. Contact member 15 hasan outwardly bent tab 20 punched out to contact the screw-threaded side3 of the bulb while contact 17 has a punched out tab 21 bent atsubstantially right angles to themajor portion of the member at a pointto contact the bottom electrical button contact 4 of the bulb.

The shell 10 is also provided with a pair of mechanical stops 22, whichare preferably molded to the internal 7 wall of the barrel. These stops22 limit the downward travel of the bulb as it is screwed into thesocket. The barrel 11 also has a cut out portion 24 under each channel14 and 16 to accommodate the current carrying wires. As shown in FIGURES2 and 3, the prongs 18 of the two contact members 15 and 17 extend intothis cut out portion. The upper, part of the barrel 11 also has anopening 26 to accommodate the entrance of the light-bulb;

This opening has a chamfered lip 25.

The base member 30 includes a base piece 31 and illustratively, fourspaced upstanding generally circular walls 32-1, 32-2, 32-3 and 32-4thereon spaced from the I periphery of piece 31 to form a ledge 36. Thespacing be-' suitable type thread may be used to accommodate acorresponding type of bulb, for example a bayonet thread to hold abayonet bulb base, etc.

As illustratively shown in FIGURE 1, walls 32-1 and 32-2 are bigger thanwalls 32-3 and 3.2-4, that is, they occupy a larger angular segment onthe circle on which the walls are located. Also, the spaces or slots 34between walls 32-1 and 32-3, and 32-2 and 32-4 are larger than the slots35 between the corresponding walls 32-1 and 32-4, and 32-2 and 32-3, Thespaces or slots 34 are wide enough to accept the stop members 22 whilethe spaces 33 can accommodate the current carrying wires 41 and 42.

In assembling the light socket, the contact member 15 and 17 are placedinto their respective channels 14 and 16 and held therein, preferably bya force fit, so that the prong portions 18 of both contact members 15and 17 extend into the respective openings 24 at the lower part of thebarrel. The Wires 41 and 42 are then laid across the base piece 31through the two slots 34. Next, the shell 10 is placed over the walls 32of the base member with the two stops 22 aligned in the two openings 35.The outer diameter of the walls 32 and the inner diameter of the barrel11 are preferably selected to produce an engaging fit so that somepressure is needed to force the shell 10 over the walls 32. If desired,a number of longitudinal ribs (not shown) may be formed on either theouter surface of the walls 32 or the inner surface of the barrel 11, orboth. This will enhance sliding of the pieces 10 and 30 with respect toeach other since it reduces the friction therebetween while stillproviding the engaging fit. While the two members 11 and 30 can have aloose fit, this is not preferred, although the principles of theinvention will still apply to such an arrangement.

After the shell 10 has been pushed part way over the base 30, the bulb 1is inserted into the opening 26 in the shell. As the bulb is turned, itsthreaded base 3 engages the threads 33 of the walls 32 and the bulbsglass envelope engages the chamfered portion 25 of the barrel. Continuedthreading of the bulb 1 into the socket moves the shell downwardly bydrawing upon the base 30. This causes the prongs 18 of the contactmembers and 17 to pierce through the insulation of the respective wires41 and 42. This action continues until the bottom of the light bulb base3 engages the stops 22 at which time the bottom of the shell 10 isresting on the ledge 36 of base piece 31. At the same time the prongs 18pierce through the insulation of the wires 41 and 42 to make electricalcontact with the current carrying conductors thereof. Thus, electricalcontrol with the wires is made and the socket is assembled by screwingin the bulb. It should be understood, of course, that snfficientpressure can be exerted between the shell and base to complete theassembly without screwing in the bulb,

To remove the socket assembly from the wires 41 and 42 at the point ofattachment, it is only necessary to unscrew the bulb and then pull theshell 10 off the base piece 30. The base member 30 may then be removedfrom the wires and attached at another place as desired. Replacement ofburnt-out bulb presents no problems since the shell and base membershold together when the bulb is removed due to the engaging fit betweenthe two and the holding action of prongs 18 in the wires.

It should be understood that modifications of the present invention arecontemplated. For example, in FIG- URE 1 the slots 34 and 35 are shownas being of unequal size as are the various wall pieces 32. This permitsthe stops 22 to key into the narrower slots 35. It should be understoodthat one of the slots 35 may be omitted and -a single stop 22 used. Thiswill increase the strength of Wall 32 and the one slot 35 will serve asa polarizing key for the contacts 15 and 17. Also, both slots 35 may beomitted if the stops 22 are not to be used.

It is also possible to make the walls 32 of equal, size and also to makethe slots of equal spacing. This is shown in FIGURE 5 wherein it can beseen that each wall piece 52 occupies a substantially equi-angularsegment while the slots 53 are also equal.

As shown best in FIGURES 2 and 3, the tab member 21 of contact 17 is notsupported at its lowermost point in the assembled socket. A support isusually unnecessary since the downward travel limit of the light bulb 1,and therefore of tab 21 also, is set by the stops 22. In cases where thestops 22 are not provided or where an additional support is desired, asupporting member 55 (FIGURE 5) is provided. This member 55 ispreferably molded on the bottom of the base piece 31 at approximatelythe center thereof. The member 55 may be circular, or any other shape.Preferably, it is of an eliptical or tapered shape so that the wires 41and 42 may readily pass on each side thereof. The height of the member55 is selected to provide a specified clearance between the tab 21 ofcontact member 17 and the wires 41 and 42 carrying the current.

Due to the engagement of the bottom of the barrel 11 with the ledge 36of the base piece 31., the bottom of the socket is made relativelywater-proof. To further enhance this desired feature, a washer (notshown) may be provided for the base member 30 on the ledge 36 of thebase piece 31 around the walls 32. Thus, when the shell 10 is assembledto the base the washer serves as an additional shield against Water orthe other elements. Additionally, a small lip may be molded around theperiphery of the base piece 31 so that the bottom of the barrel will fiton the ledge 36 between the wall 32 and this lip. This would also givesome protection against weather. Due to the chamfered edge 26 of barrel11, which corresponds to the shape of the bulb wall 5, the upper end ofthe socket is substantially water-tight when the bulb is screwed intothe socket. If desired, a washer (not shown) may also be provided in thechamfered opening 26 to further weatherproof the top of the socketassembly. A fairly weatherproof structure is provided without one orboth of these washers at the base or top opening but the socket is mademore water-proof by their use.

While the barrel 11 has been shown as being of a continuous, generallycylindrical construction, it should be understood that portions thereofmay be omitted. For example, sections of the shell which are to beopposite the walls 32-1 and 32-2 may be omitted so that the shell wouldhave a circular upper end with two downwardly extending arms to hold thechannels 14 and 16 for the contact members. When the downwardlyextending arms overlap portions of walls 32-1 and 32-2, the structure isstill fully insulated.

. Therefore, it can be seen that a light socket assembly has beenprovided which is relatively simple to manufacture and use and alsosubstantially flexible in its range of applications since it may bereadily moved from place to place on a pair of current carrying wires.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above,it will be understood that these are illustrative only, and theinvention is limited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A light socket assembly for holding a light bulb and adapted forattachment to a pair of insulated current carrying wires comprising:

a hollow shell member having means engageable with said light bulb whenthe latter is advanced into the shell from one end thereof,

a pair of electrical contacts each having ends thereon adapted forpiercing the insulation of a respective current carrying wire and formaking electrical contact with the conductor portion of said wire, saidcontacts also having means thereon adapted for making electrical contactwith respective conductor portions of the light bulb,

means on said shell member for holding said electrical contact members,

a base member having a bottom base piece with segmented wall sectionsextending upwardly therefrom, said wall sections defining slotstherebetween adapted for passing the current carrying-wirestherethrough, said wall sections also fitting within the other end ofsaid hollow shell member,

mating means on said base and shell members for aligning said'twomembers with said electrical contacts positioned adjacent said slots andthe wires to pass therethrough,

and means on said wall sections adapted for receiving and holding saidlight bulb, and responsive to rotation of said light bulb for bringingthe same into engagement with said engageable means and thereafterdrawing said base and shell members together and moving the ends of saidcontact members to positions where they are adapted to pierce theinsulated portions of the current carrying wires.

2. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shellmember is of molded plastic and is also provided with a molded plasticclip for attaching the socket assembly to another object.

3. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein means areprovided on said base piece for limiting the downward travel of themeans on one of said contact members for making electrical contact withthe light bulb.

4. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said oneopening adapted. for receiving the light bulb is chamfered to the samegeneral shape as the envelope of the bulb.

5. A light socket assembly for holding a light bulb and adapted forattachment to a pair of insulated current 6 means on said shell memberfor holding said electrica contact members,

at least one mechanical aligning means on said shell member,

a base member having a bottom .base piece with segmented wall sectionsextending upwardly therefrom for fitting within the other end of saidshell member, said wall sections defining at least one first slottherebetween for receiving a corresponding aligning means to locate theends of said electrical contact members adjacent a pair of second slotsformed between said wall sections through which the pair of currentcarrying wires is adapted to pass,

and means on said wall sections adapted for receiving and holding saidlight bulb, and responsive to the rotation of said light bulb forbringing the same into engagement with said engageable means andthereafter drawing said base and shell members together and moving theends of said contact members to positions where they are adapted topierce the insulated portions of the current carrying wires.

6. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein saidmechanical aligning means is located on the inside of said shell memberand also limits the downward travel of the light bulb within the socket.

7. A light socket assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said firstand second slots are of respectively different sizes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,786,598 12/1930Broer 339-l76 X 2,802,195 8/1957 Martines 33997 X 2,869,097 1/1959Stuart 339-69 3,104,924 9/1963 Capel 339-174 FOREIGN PATENTS 748,802 4/1933 France.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Primary Examiner.-

W. D. MILLER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A LIGHT SOCKET ASSEMBLY FOR HOLDING A LIGHT BULB AND ADAPTED FORATTACHMENT TO A PAIR OF INSULATED CURRENT CARRYING WIRES COMPRISING: AHOLLOW SHELL MEMBER HAVING MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LIGHT BULB WHENTHE LATTER IS ADVANCED INTO THE SHELL FROM ONE END THEREOF, A PAIR OFELECTRICAL CONTACTS EACH HAVING ENDS THEREON ADAPTED FOR PIERCING THEINSULATION OF A RESPECTIVE CURRENT CARRYING WIRE AND FOR MAKINGELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH THE CONDUCTOR PORTION OF SAID WIRE, SAIDCONTACTS ALSO HAVING MEANS THEREON ADAPTED FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL CONTACTWITH RESPECTIVE CONDUCTOR PORTIONS OF THE LIGHT BULB, MEANS ON SAIDSHELL MEMBER FOR HOLDING SAID ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEMBERS, A BASE MEMBERHAVING A BOTTOM BASE PIECE WITH SEGMENTED WALL SECTIONS EXTENDINGUPWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID WALL SECTIONS DEFINING SLOTS THEREBETWEENADAPTED FOR PASSING THE CURRENT CARRYING WIRES THERETHROUGH, SAID WALLSECTIONS ALSO FITTING WITHIN THE OTHER END OF SAID HOLLOW SHELL MEMBER,MATING MEANS ON SAID BASE AND SHELL MEMBERS FOR ALIGNING SAID TWOMEMBERS WITH SAID ELECTRICAL CONTACTS POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID SLOTS ANDTHE WIRES TO PASS THERETHROUGH, AND MEANS ON SAID WALL SECTIONS ADAPTEDFOR RECEIVING AND HOLDING SAID LIGHT BULB, AND RESPONSIVE TO ROTATION OFSAID LIGHT BULB FOR BRINGING THE SAME INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAIDENGAGEABLE MEANS AND THEREAFTER DRAWING SAID BASE AND SHELL MEMBERSTOGETHER AND MOVING THE ENDS OF SAID CONTACT MEMBERS TO POSITIONS WHERETHEY ARE ADAPTED TO PIERCE THE INSULATED PORTIONS OF THE CURRENTCARRYING WIRES.